It was somewhat ironic that Doncaster RLFC, having avoided major injuries all season, entered their final 2024 Betfred Championship game against top-of-the-table Wakefield Trinity at the DIY Kitchens Stadium with their most depleted squad. In addition to the four forwards already sidelined by injury or illness for their win over Swinton, head coach Richard Horne was also missing try-scoring second-rower Pauli Pauli, who began a two-match suspension, and playmaker and goal-kicking scrum-half Connor Robinson, who suffered an ear injury against the Lions.
Horne opted to bench the in-form winger Bureta Faraimo to give a final appearance to departing player Tom Halliday. Meanwhile, Wakefield Trinity, a full-time team, were nearly at full strength and aiming to secure their 25th win in 26 games, hoping to avoid a similar upset to last season’s league leaders Featherstone Rovers, who were unexpectedly defeated by London in the play-offs.
In the end, Wakefield Trinity secured a dominant 72-6 victory, handing Doncaster RLFC their heaviest league defeat in recent years. Full-back Max Jowitt played a starring role, contributing exactly half of Trinity’s points with four tries and ten conversions.
It was a disappointing conclusion to the season for the Dons, who narrowly missed finishing in the top half of the table. Their overall performance lacked many of the strengths they had showcased throughout their first season at this level in eight years.
Defensively, they struggled, with their line appearing fragile at times. While Trinity played well for the full 80 minutes, they didn’t have to work too hard for several of their 13 tries.
Trinity opened the scoring just four minutes in, with Jowitt crossing from close range and adding the conversion. They continued to apply pressure, with winger Derrell Olpherts easily scoring in the corner following some slick handling in Doncaster’s 20-meter zone.
Although things looked bleak for the Dons at that point, they began to settle into the game and challenge Wakefield’s defense. Their only try came when veteran PNG Test centre Jason Tali powered over, with Craig Hall converting. Hall was one of Doncaster’s standout performers.
That was as good as it got for the Dons, though loose-forward AJ Wallace managed to cross the line, only to have his effort disallowed by referee Ben Thaler for a double movement. Thaler, officiating his 700th and final game, had been honored by both teams with a guard of honor as he took to the field, receiving a standing ovation from the crowd of over 5,000.
Shortly after, the action shifted to the other end, where Trinity scrum-half Mason Lino scored following a close effort from former Great Britain winger Jermaine McGillvary, who was playing in his final league game before retiring.
Craig Hall provided a bright moment for Doncaster with a try-saving interception near his own line, sprinting down the left wing but ultimately unable to link up with a teammate as Wakefield’s defense closed in.
Watson Boas came close to scoring after Luke Briscoe knocked down a kick from Hall, but he lost the ball just before reaching the line. Other than a neat run from Hall in the final quarter, that was as close as the Dons came to another try.
Wakefield finished the first half as strongly as they had started, adding two more tries to take a commanding 24-6 lead at the break. They continued their dominance in the third quarter, scoring three more tries to extend the lead to 42-6, matching their previous win against Doncaster at the Eco-Power Stadium earlier in the season.
Despite the inevitable outcome, Trinity maintained their intensity, adding five more tries before the final whistle.
Doncaster lineup: Guzdek, Briscoe, Lyne, Tali, Halliday, Hall, Boas, Baxter, McConnell, Matagi, Sutcliffe, Smeaton, Wallace. Subs: Heyu, Holdstock, Mafi, Faraimo.